Thomas L. Koch

Biography

Thomas L. Koch’s work in the area of photonics has led to improved optical fiber communication links that form the backbone of today’s Internet and telecommunications networks. His broad spectrum of contributions extend from the design and demonstration of new concepts in semiconductor lasers to providing new approaches to modeling optoelectronic devices and their impact on fiber communication system performance. Koch’s role in the development of photonic integrated circuits, which are single microchips containing many microscopic photonic components, enabled the incorporation of highly sophisticated functions at lower cost and higher reliability. An IEEE Fellow, he holds 35 patents and has authored or co-authored over 300 journal and conference publications and co-edited the two-volume book “Optical Fiber Telecommunications III” with Ivan P. Kaminow. Dr. Koch has previously received the William Streifer Award for Scientific Achievement from IEEE LEOS and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.